Fondly dedicated to the memory of André Kostelanetz. Orchestral version first performed October 11, 1980 at Avery Fisher Hall in New York City by the New York Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Zubin Mehta and repeated on the same occasion under the composer’s direction. Brass Band arrangement made by Luc Vertommen and recorded on CD ‘The Dawning’ – Brass Band Buizingen/Luc Vertommen PROGRAM NOTE There is a game musicians play in which they compete in fitting triple-trochaic musical names to George Gershwin’s ‘Fascinating Rhythm’. (It can also be done to Richard Rodgers’s ‘Some Enchanted Evening’). André Kostelanetz is often the name that sets the game in motion. (Other names that come to mind include Antonin Dvorak, Edwin Franko Goldman, Zino Fracescatti, Robert Russell Bennett, Michael Tilson Thomas, ‘Slava’ Rostropovich, Igor F.Stravinsky, etc.) It is this gameful spirit that infuses Leonard Bernstein’s tribute to Maestro Kostelanetz, A Musical Toast. It may seem strange to write a memorial tribute in a ‘party’ vein, rather than an elegiac one, but the composer is simply complying with the wish of the fun-loving Kostelanetz himself who, in his Last Will and Testament, left these instructions : ‘If there is contemplated a gathering of my family, friends and associates in New York City or elsewhere, I direct that such a gathering shall be a cheerful get-together’.’ Thus a Toast was in order, a musical toast by the composer in affectionate memory of his distinguished colleague and friend. After a short fanfare in 7/8, there emerges a figure comprising the aforesaid three trochees : ‘An-dré Ko-ste-la-netz !’ and the party is on. SUGGESTIONS TO THE CONDUCTOR Bands should feel free to substitute for the original toast to André Kostelanetz (measure 76 and 77) singing tribute to any person or event which seems suitable to the occasion. Alternately, if there doesn’t seem to be an appropriate subject for the toast, a purely instrumental version can be performed in which its notes are played by flugel horn and euphonium. The four drums of different pitches should preferably be four snare drums of different sizes.